From a cluttered corner to a cozy clean zone, our small laundry room glow-up is complete after I finished my first successful wallpapering project in our home.
Let’s talk about one of the most-used, least-loved spaces in our home: the laundry room. For a long time, ours was more of a “dumping ground” than functional zone—open shelves full of visible clutter, a constant eyesore for guests who entered through our garage door or used the nearby guest bathroom.
After living with a half-updated version of the room for over a year, I finally decided it was time to really finish it—and that meant trying something totally new: wallpaper.
Spoiler alert: it totally transformed the space. And yes, I smile every time I walk past it.
Let’s take a quick trip down memory lane and revisit how much we had done in this space prior to wallpaper.
Before: The Struggle Was Real
When we moved in, this small laundry room had basic open shelving, which seemed helpful at first—but quickly turned into a visual mess. Everything we needed was accessible, but also on full display. Not ideal, especially since this hallway sees so much guest traffic.
I knew the room had potential, but I needed a plan that was budget-friendly and achievable without a full remodel.
The Big Changes (One Step at a Time):
This wasn’t an overnight transformation—it came together piece by piece. If you want to read all about the steps listed below, I wrote about them in detail in this post.
• Ripped out the open shelving (good riddance!)
• Patched and prepped the walls where the new setup wouldn’t cover
• Installed stock cabinets from Lowe’s (I primed, painted, and we installed them ourselves—teamwork win!)
• Built custom cubbies above the cabinets to perfectly fit baskets we already had
• Added beadboard and trim to bring in some texture and charm
• Built custom shelves to go between cabinets (this was also a first). I accomplished making thick shelves by gluing together two pieces of wood then using edge banding to hide the seams. All was sanded and stained to match. They look like one thick shelf.
• Painted, caulked, filled nail holes—all the behind-the-scenes details that make the finish feel clean and professional
For about a year, we lived with those upgrades while I debated how to add that “something special.” I didn’t want it to just feel done—I wanted it to feel designed.
The Finishing Touch: My First Wallpapering Project
Enter: Bold Wallpaper
I’d never wallpapered anything before except for an attempt at a friends home in their powder bath. We were successful until we reached a corner and then we struggled. Enough time had passed after that attempt so I finally decided to go for it in our home—and I’m so glad I did. I chose a bold pattern that felt cheerful and cozy (and a little unexpected for a laundry space).
To make things easier, I used a spray adhesive in addition to the peel-and-stick wallpaper. I WISH we had known about this product when I tried helping my friend! Total game changer. It allowed the paper to stay more movable while applying, so I could reposition it without having to fully peel and restick it.
You’ll also need a wallpaper kit, like this one I used.
Also recommended, a laser level. This helps to keep your design straight as you apply each piece.
The After: A Space That Makes Me Smile
Now, this little laundry room feels like it belongs in our home. It’s functional, organized, and—dare I say—pretty!
What used to be a space I tried to hide is now one I’m proud to show off. Proof that even the smallest, most utilitarian spaces deserve a little love (and sometimes, a bold wallpaper moment).
What I Learned (and Would Totally Do Again):
• Don’t underestimate what a few stock cabinets and some custom touches can do.
• If you’ve never wallpapered before, don’t be scared! Spray adhesive was key with peel and stick wallpaper.
• Letting a space evolve over time can help you land on the right final vision.
• Small spaces deserve design, too!
Before & After Photos
If you’re sitting on a half-finished space and waiting for the “right time” to complete it—consider this your sign. The little details (like wallpaper) might be just what it needs.
Have questions about how we did something? Drop them in the comments—I’m happy to share more!
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